Revenge of the market!

Hell hath no fury like an airline scorned - as BMI showed this week. Yorkshire businesses beware - if more people don't start flying from Yorkshire to London, then BMI will take their toys and get the hell out of there.

The airline is angry because not enough people want to fly from Leeds to London - possibly because it's not very far, and there's a regular train service. But BMI think it's not that people don't want the service, but more that "Anti-terrorist security, environmentalist propaganda, 'green' taxation and Heathrow's failings had all hit trade".

Pesky green agit-prop! So what else is causing problems? Quelle surprise, they're being charged too much in airport fees: "either the new owners had to bring them down or 'local interests' might have to provide financial support".

So what can the good people of Yorkshire do to keep BMI in the black? BMI have the answer: "we urge business and leisure to use the service or lose it".

Unpopular route fails to make enough money to keep operating? Sounds like the market doing its job. I thought that's what business people wanted...

Plane Stupid competition: GNER Leeds to London return tickets start at £20. I'll give a free 'No 3rd runway' t-shirt - as seen in the Select Committee - to anyone who can find a cheaper return ticket by air, Leeds-Bradford to Heathrow. First person to email me wins.